Window channel



June 13, 1933. Q P SCHLEGEL 1,914,216

WINDOW CHANNEL Filed Feb. 15, 1932 2 sheets-sheet` 1 IN VENT 0R /Z'S ATTORNEY June 13, 1933. c;l p SCHLEGEL 1,914,216

WINDOW CHANNEL Filed Feb. 15, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'S ATTORNEY tary channel member Patented June 13, 1933 PATENT OFFICE CHARLES P. sCnLEeEL, OF ROCHESTER,

MANUFACTURING COMPANY, NEW YORK NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE SCHLEGEL OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF W'INDOW CHANNEL Application filled February 15, 1932. Serial No. 592,927.

having curved corners but fitted with square glass, and which obviates the cutting of the corners of the glass on a curve. l

Another object is s for the sidesaifiditop of a window opening.

Still another object is the provision in such a channel member of means for adjusting the length of the top portion of the channel member to fit window openings of different widths.

A further object is the provision for windows having curved corners of a channel of the above character which is continuous and symmetrical with the window opening to provide an ornamental and pleasing appearance.

'lo these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a fragmentary view of a door of a motor vehicle equipped with a channel member constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View through a corner of the window opening illustrated in Fig. l, on a larger scale, showing the relation of the cha `nel member thereto;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the channel member illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along 'the center line of the channel showing the relation of the various parts thereof;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. l;

F ig. 7 is aside view of a. modified form of channel;

Fig. 8 is an end view of the channel member illustrated in'Fig. 7

- larger scale showing the provisiomofya uni- Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8 on a the relation of the various members comprising the channel;

Fig. l0 is avertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9, and

Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional View taken through a portion of the channel substantially on the line 11--11 of Fig. 9.

The same reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

The present invention is embodied, in the present instance by way of illustration in a window channel construction having side members 20 adapted to receive the side edges of a sliding glass sash 21, and a top member 22 arranged to receive the upper edge 23 of the sash in the closed position of the latter. The members Q0 and 22 are secured in position in the window frame 24 between shoulders 25, on the frame, and molding strips 26 spaced from the shoulders 25 to provide vertically and horizontally extending grooves therebetween in which the channel members are disposed, the moldingr strips bein held in position by any suitable means, suc for example, as screws 30.

Each of the side members 20, and the top member E22, comprises a channel shaped strip of substantially rigid sheet material such, for example, as sheet metal formed to provide a bottom 3l and side walls 32 extending upwardly at substantially right angles to the bottom 31.` The free edges of the side walls are rolled inwardly and downwardly to provide flanges 34: spaced from the side walls 32 and adapted to receive portions of a lining material hereinafter described.

Each of the channel members 20 and 22 is provided with a lining preferably in the form of a strip of textile fabric arranged on the inner faces of the channel member and having opposed cut pile surfaces 36 on the side walls thereof in position to resiliently support the sash 2l. The pile surfaces 36 are separated by a break 37 disposed on the bottom of the channel member in position to engage the side edge of the sash, as clearly' illustrated in Fig. 6. The strip is also provided with breaks 38 at the free edges thereof which may be selvaged to prevent unraveling and which are clamped under the flanges 34 to maintain the lining in position in the channel member.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 6, it is seen that the free edges 40 of the members 20 and 22 project inwardly a slight distance beyond the Window frame 24 to provide ornamentation between the frame and the sash 21. To afford suitable ornamentation for the upper curved corners 41 of the window opening, the present invention provides curved channel shaped corner pieces or portions 45, the free edges 46 of which extend inwardly a slight distance from the corners 41. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the corner pieces 45 and the members 20 and 22 are preferably made from a single channel-shaped sheet metal strip which is drawn or otherwise formed to provide the unitary channel construction best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. By means of this arrangement, the members 20 and 22, and the corner pieces 45, form a single channel 'which may be installed as a unit inthe window frame, thus greatly reducing the cost of such installation.

Each of the portions 45 has a lining on the inner faces thereof which is the same material as, and is preferably integral with, the lin? ing in the members 20 and 22, so that the lining for the entire window channel may be made from a single strip of textile material which will provide asmooth continuous member in engagement with the sash 21. The rolled flanges 34 of the members 20 and 22 are extended over the intermediate portions 45 to clamp the free edges of the lining and to hold it in place therein, the free edges 46 of the portions 45 providing suitable ornamentation for the upper curved corners 41.

The usual form of glass sash used in automobiles is rectangular in shape and has an angular corner 50. Upon an inspection of Fig. 2, it is. evident that when the sash 21 is closed and the upper edge 23 thereof is positioned within the member 22, the corner 50 will extend inwardly beyond the intermediate or corner portion 45. To enable the corner 50 to be so positioned, the bottom 31 of the channel shaped intermediate portion 45 is provided with a slot 51 through which the corner 50 may project when the sash is in the closed position. The slot is of sufficient width to provide ample room for the free passage of the corner of the sash. To permit the corner 50 to pass through the slot 51, the,

channel lining of the cornerportion is also provided with a slot in the break or bottom portion 37 thereof in registry with the slot 5`1, as clearly shownin Fig. 5. The unslotted portions of the bottom between the slot-51 and the side walls 32 are rolled' inwardly to provide flanges 55 which cooperate with the Hanges 34 to hold the pile portions 36 ofthe strip in position in the intermediate portionv and to prevent bunching or binding of the portions 36 when the corner 50 of the sash is passed through the slot 51. If desired, the drawing or forming of the corner pieces 45 may be facilitated by providing slots or notches on the lower free edges of the side walls thereof, as shown at 60, Figs. 3 and 4.

The above construction provides a unitary window channel which is not only simple in structure, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to install, but which provides a channel having a portion thereof adapted to form a corner of a window opening and to provide ornamentation therefor. rlhe advantageous and desirable features of such a construction will be apparent to those lskilled in the art.

The present trend in automobile manu facturing is to present a great variety ofl placed under a great deal of expense in an endeavor to meet .all these varying requirements. As no one form of channel construction can be manufactured on a largeV scale, the unit cost is necessarily higher than when standard forms are used.

To meet these requirements and to further reduce the cost of Window channels, the present linvention provides a modified form of channel construction having' angularly disposed channel members 20@ and 21a arranged on the side and top respectively of a Window opening, and a corner part or piece 22a, hereinafter described, intermediate the members 20a and 21a and adapted to receive the corner of a sliding glass sash 23a. Each of the members 20a and 21a is' made from a strip of sheet metal bent into channel form to provide a channel member having a bottom 31a and side Walls 32a, the free edges of the side walls being rolled inwardly to provide flanges 34a adapted to receive the free edges of a lining arranged on the inner faces of the channel member. This lining is preferably in the form of a strip of textile-fabric having pile vsurfaces 36a on the sides of the channel and arranged to engage opposite faces of the sash 23a to resiliently support the latter in the channel member. This strip is provided with a break 37a intermediate the pile surface 36a and arranged on the bottom 31a to engage the edge ofthe sash. Breaks 38a are also provided on the free edges of the strip and are arranged .to extend under and to be held in place by the ianges 34a. f In the modification shown in Figs. 7 to 11 the corner piece 22a is made .separate from the side and top channel members 20a and 21a, but is detaehably secured thereto so that the en tire channel construction may be handled and installed as a single unit. Because of the fact that the members 20a and 21a are shape, and the channel manufacturer is thus separate from the corner piece, these members may be standardized and may be made in standard lengths and then cut to size to meet the individual requirements, thus greatly reducing the cost of manufacturing these members. By means of this arrangement, it is necessary to stock only special forms of Korner pieces to enable the channel construction to be used in connection with various types of window openings.

The corner piece preferably comprises two separate strips of sheet metal disposed on opposite sides of the members 20a and 21a and formed to provide sections 24a and 25a adapted to slidably engage the channel members 20a and 21a, as hereafter described. Each of the sections 24a and 25a is substantially L-shaped in cross section and has a leg or portions 40a thereof arranged to over lie aside wall 32a of the channel members 20a and 21a and to connect the sections 24a and 25a, as shown in Fig. 9. rfhe free edge of the leg 40a is rolled inwardly to provide a bead or guideway 42a. adapted to slidably receive one of the flanges 34a of the channel members as clearly illustratedin Fig. l0. The other legs 43a of the L-shaped' sections extend inwardly to engage the bottoms 31a to retain the flanges 34a in the bead 42a. The adjacent L-shaped portions of the two strips cooperate with each other to provide a substantially channel shaped section in whichthe members 20a and 21a are slidably received.

The inner edges of the strips are curved as shown at 44a and the beads 42a arecontinuous over these edges to provide strengthening means therefor, and to afford smooth ornamental edges symmetrical with the curved corners of the window opening. The outer edges of the strips are preferably cut away as at 47a to provide a slot 51a therebetween through which the corner 50a. may extend when the sash is in closed position, as shown inFig. 7

As the members 20a and 21a are slidable in the corner pieces, the latter may be adjusted relative to the top members 21a to fit window frames of varying Widths. In any particular model of car, however, the window openings are fairly uniform in width so that such adjustments are rarely necessary. It may be desirable, therefore, in such cases to provide means to securely retain one or both of the channel members in position relative to the corner piece. This retaining means preferably comprises tabs 55a struck up from the portions 40a of the corner piece and arranged to extend over the ends of the side walls 32a, in the position illustrated in Fig. 11, to retain the channel member in position relative to the corner piece. These tabs have been shown only in connection With the top channel member 21a, but it is to be understood that they may also be provided to retain the side members 20a, if desiredt It is apparent from the foregoing description that the modified channel construction not only affords a manufacturing flexibility which meets the present manufacturing requirements, but aso provides a channel which may be manufactured at a minimum of cost. It is also apparent that the preferred, as well as the modified construction, is adapted to provide an ornamental window corner which is pleasing in appearance and symmetrical with the window frame.

l/Vhile certain embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive ideal may be carried out in a number of ways.. This application is therefore not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to cover all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A Window runway comprising a channel member of substantially rigid sheet material formed to provide one-piece channel shaped portions extending angularly with respect to each other, and a curved intermediate portion, said intermediate portion being adapted to form a corner of a window opening and having an aperture in a wall thereof through which a corner of a glass window sash is arranged to project.

2. A window runway comprising a chann-el member of substantially rigid sheet material arranged to receive a sliding glass sash and formed to provide portions extending angularly with respect to each other, and a curved intermediate portion, said intermediate portion having a bottom and side walls, the free edges of said side walls being adapted to form a corner of a window opening and said bottom having an aperture therein through which a corner of said sash is adapted to project, and means associated with said channel member to both resiliently cushion said sash and tonreduce the slidingfriction thereof, said angularly disposed portions having parts thereof arranged to engage said cushioning means to hold the latter in position therein.

3. A window runway comprising a channel member of substantially rigid sheet material arranged to receive a sliding glass sash and formed to provide portions extending angularly with relation to each other, a curved intermediate portion connecting said angularly disposed portions, said intermedi ate portion having a bottom and side Walls, the free edges of said side walls being adapted to form a corner of a window opening and said bottom having an aperture therein through which a corner of said sash is adapted to project, and a strip of textile material arranged on'the inner surfaces of said channel member and held in position therein by flanges formed on the free edges of said angularly disposed portions, said material comprising a relatively heavy fabric woven to form opposed pile surfaces having relatively long iibers projecting therefrom and serving to both resiliently cushion said safsh and to reduce the sliding friction thereo 4. A window runway comprising a channel member having one-piece channel shaped portions arranged on the vertical sides of a window opening and adapted to receive the edges of a sliding glass sash, a one-piece channel shaped top portion arranged at the top of said window opening and adapted to receivethe top edge of said sash in the closed position thereof, and a curved intermediate channel part connecting said portions at the corner of said window opening, said intermediate part having the bottom of the channel cut away to provide an opening to allow the corner of said sash to project therethrough when the sash is in closed position.

5. A window runway comprising a channel member of substantially rigid sheet material arranged to receive a sliding glass sash and formed to provide one-piece channel shaped portions extending angularly'with respect to each other, and a curved intermediate channel portion integral with said angularly disposed portions, said intermediate portion providing a curved corner of a Window opening and having an aperture in one wall thereof through which a corner of said sash is adapted to project.

6. A window runway comprising a channel member of substantially rigid sheet material arranged to receive a sliding glass sash and formed to provid-e portions extending angularly with respect to each other, and a curved intermediate channel portion integral with said angularly disposed portions, said intermediate portion providing a curved corner of a window opening and having an aperture in one wall thereof, and a lining for said channel member arranged on the inner faces thereof to provide a cushion for said sash, said lining having an opening therein in registry with said aperture to provide a slot through which a corner of said sash is adapted to extend.

7. A window runway comprising channel members extending angularly with respect to each other, and a corner part engaging said angularly disposed members and adapted to form a corner of a window opening, one of said channel members being slidable relative to said corner part to permit said member to be adjusted relative to said part.

8. A window runway` comprising channel members extending angularly with respect to each other, and a corner part slidably engaging said angularly disposed members and adapted to form a corner of a window opening. i

9. A window runway comprising channelv members extending angularly with respect to being cut away to provide an aperture through which a corner of a glass window sash is arranged to extend.

1l. A Window runway comprising channel members extending angularly with respect to each other, intermediate corner means slidably engaging said angularly disposed members to connect the same, said corner means being cut away to provide an aperture through which a corner of a sliding window sash is `arranged to project, and means associated with said corner piece for retaining one of said channel members in proper position relative-thereto.

12. A window runway conrprisng channel members extending angularly with respect to each other, corner means detachably secured to said angularly disposed members to connect the same, means associated with said corner means for retaining one of said channel members in proper position relative thereto,the adjacent ends of said channel members being maintained in spaced relation to provide an opening therebetween through which a corner of a glass window sash is adapted to project, and a cushioning lining for said channel members to both resiliently cushion said sash and to reduce the sliding friction thereof.

13. A window runway comprising channel members formed of sheet material and'extending angularly with respect to each other, a corner partl adapted to form the corner of a window opening, and guide means on said corner part for slidably receiving said channel members to hold the latter in position to receive the side and top edges of a sliding glass sash, said .corner piece having a part thereof cut away to permit a corner of said sash to project therethrough when the sash is in closed position.

14;. A window runway comprising channel members formed of sheet metal and extending angularly With respect to each other, intermediate cornermeans adapted to form the corner of a window opening, said corner means comprising L-shaped strips of sheet metal disposed on opposite sides of said chan- I i channel members to detachably secure said members to said corner means, and means associated with said strips for retaining one of said channel members in proper position relative thereto, said strips having portions thereof cut away to provide an opening through which a corner of a sliding glass sash is arranged to extend.

15. A window channel comprising angularly disposed channel members of sheet metal, each of said channel members being formed to provide a bottom and side walls, cushioning means for said channel members, and corner means disposed intermediate said channel members and detachably secured thereto to form a corner of a window opening, said corner means comprising strips of sheet metal disposed on opposite sides of said channel members and having certain edges thereof reversely bent to form beads adapted to slidably receive the free edges of said'channel members to hold the strips in spaced relation to form said former means and to detachably secure the channel members thereto, said strips having other edges thereof formed to provide inwardly extending anges engaging the backs of said bottoms to retain said free edges in said beads, said channel members having adjacent ends thereof maintained in spaced relation in said corner means, said strips being cut away intermediate said adjacent ends to provide therebetween an opening through which a corner of a glass window sash is arranged to project 16. A window runway comprising a channel member made from a single piece of channel shaped sheet material and formed to provide portions extending angularly with respect to each other, and a curved intermediate portion, said intermediate portion having the bottom of the channel cut away to provide an aperture through which a corner of a glass sash is arranged to project, a lining for said channel member arranged on the inner faces thereof and having an opening in registry with said aperture, and flanges formed on said channel member and arranged to grip said lining to retain itin position in said channel member.

17. A window runway comprising a onep iece channel member having a bottom and ing angularly with respect to each other, and a curved intermediate portion connecting said angularly disposed portions, said intermediate portion having an aperture in the bottom thereof, a cushioning lining arranged on the inner faces of said channel member and extending substantially the full length thereof, said lining having an opening therein in registry with said aperture to provide a slot through which a Corner of a glass sash is adapted to extend, Jflanges on the free edges of said channel member arranged to engage lsaid channel member,

sides and formed to provide portions extendv to hold it in place in and means adjacent said opening and cooperating with said flanges for retaining the lining in position in -said intermediate portion.

'CHARLES P. SCHLEGEL.

the edges of said lining 

